Deaths in bodies of water rise by 20% compared to last year – State Emergency Service urges compliance with safety rules

Neglecting basic rules of behavior in the bodies of water and swimming in places where it is prohibited expose people to significant danger. To date, 640 cases of deaths in bodies of water have been recorded since the beginning of the year.

Oleksandr Khorunzhyy, Press Officer of the State Emergency Service, reported these statistics during a briefing at Media Center Ukraine – Ukrinform.

“We record an increase in the number of people dead in bodies of water. And, if compared with last year, it is actually 20% larger. As of this day, since the beginning of the year, we have recorded 640 deaths, of which 60 are children,” said Oleksandr Khorunzhyy.

He noted that as of today, a total of 265 places near bodies of water in Ukraine have been equipped and set up in accordance with the rules protecting people’s lives in bodies of water, of which 211 have beaches.

“Where we advise people to go swimming is first of all places designated by local authorities. In particular, such beaches are to be equipped with lifeguard posts in order to provide aid in a timely manner. There must be compliance with sanitary and hygienic requirements on the beaches, accordingly, water samples must be tested by the relevant authorities. These must be beaches with even floor at the access point to the body of water, so that there are no sharp drop downs. The bottom needs to have been examined, etc. You can swim on such beaches, in particular under the supervision of lifeguards,” explained Oleksandr Khorunzhyy.

In addition, the Spokesperson for the State Emergency Service called on people not to swim in unknown places and emphasized that when visiting water bodies, it is prohibited to:

– swim up to small-sized vessels;

– swim beyond the limit marked by buoys;

– climb on technical and warning signs, buoys and other objects;

– use life-saving means for anything else rather than their intended purpose;

– jump into the water from structures not adapted for this and in places with unknown depth and condition of the bottom;

– drink alcoholic beverages and swim intoxicated;

– organize games in water, which involve diving and catching other people;

– give false alarm signals;

– leave minors unattended;

– use car tires, rafts, deckchairs, boards for swimming;

– use small-sized vessels, pedal boats, high-speed motorized watercraft, jet skis in beach areas, in public bathing areas in the absence of buoys at the beach area and within this area;

“In fact, these are the basic rules that we emphasize and which we ask citizens to follow,” Oleksandr Khorunzhyy added.

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